Temperature indicating device



June 7, 1960 E. J. FRI-:Y ETAL TEMPERATURE INDICATING DEVICE Filed Oct.28, 1957 2,939,320 TEMPERATURE INDICATING DEVICE Edward J. Frey,Farmington, and William R. Guy, Detroit, Mich., assgnors to AmericanMotors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Maryland Filed Oct.2S, 1957, Ser. No. 692,666

9 Claims. (Cl. 730-3785) This invention relates to a temperatureindicating device for measuring the temperature of drying fabrics.

lt is ran object of the present invention to provide a new and improvedtemperature indicating device which may be readily attached to movingdrying lfabrics or clothes to record the temperaturethereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved temperature indicating device for measuring the temperature ofdrying fabrics or clothes without interfering with the natural ordesignated course of travel of the fabrics or clothes.

It is a further object of the present invent-ion to provide a.temperature indicating `device with ya simple `and etiicient imprintingor marking arrangement to recordthe attainment of a predeterminedtemperature.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved temperature `indicating device which -is unbreakable, simple instructure and quickly yand easily assembled or disassembled Without theuse of tools and one that is highly eicient in use.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will belapparent from the following description, reference being had to theaccompany-ing drawings, wherein 1 a preferred from of the presentinvention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a view in cross section of Ia clothes dryer housing fabrics`and clothes therein with the device ernbodying the presentinventionbeing carried in or by the fabrics and clothes;

Fig. 2 is a view, enlarged, in cross section of the device embodying thepresent invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the presentinvention, land Fig. 4 is a side view partly broken laway of a modifiedform of device embodying the present invention.

In accordance with our invent-ion we have provided a new and improvedtemperature indicating device for obtaining the temperature of dryingfabrics or -clothes in drying machines. This has been a problem in thepast because fabrics or clothes are tumbling in the dryer and they arenot necessarily equal in temperature throughout the load, the air streamtemperature may be different, and the dryer drum surface against whichthe fabrics or clothes fall may have a temperature other than thetemperature of the fabrics or clothes. The device embodying the presentinvention is temperature responsive and more than one of these m-ay beused for measuring the temperature of the `drying fabrics and clothes.They may be calibrated to operate at different temperatures and may beplaced in various parts of the fabrics or clothes and some may beplacedon various surfaces of the dryerdrum. These devices are provided with amarking or imprinting indicating arrangement which when disassembledwill show that the temperature responsive feature was in operation at -apredetermined temperature. VTo know the temperature. of the dryingPatented June 7, 1960 ICC fabrics or clothes is essential in view of thematerials in making these fabrics or clot-hes.

Referringy to the drawings there is shown a temperature indicatingdevice 20 comprising la casing 22 formedy by two pan or hat shapedsections 24, 26 set in opposed relation to `form a chamber 28. Each panmember 24,` 26 has a flat marginal edge or rim section 30, 32 respec`tively that is adapted to be secured rtogether :in abutted relation by aexible ring or band 34. The ring or band 34 is preferably made ofelastic material, such as rubber or the like, so that it may readily bestretched or snapped over and upon the edges 30, 32 to lock the casi-nghalves or sections 24, 26 together, or betreadily removed by stretchingthe band away from and olf the edges 30, 32 to permit separation of thecasing halves or pan sections 24, 26. The band 34 lis preferablymoldedwith a circumferentially extending groove 40 extending inwardlyfrom the inner circumference of the band. The groove 40 is adapted toreceive the edges 30, 32 so thatl the edges vare abutted together in asecured relation. The upper and lower sections 42 and 44 of the band 34overlie upon the cuter surfaces of edges 30, 32 andare arranged tofricticnally bind upon the respective surfacesv to seal in a moisturerelation Iagainst Water or moisture penetration into the chamber 28.

Positioned within the chamber 28 is a heat responsive member or birnetaldisc 50 calibrated to snap by a diaphragmic movement in response to yapredetermined temperature. The bimetals peripheral edge is received in acircumferentially extended recess 52 in open -com-` munication with thechamber 28. FFhe recess 52 is cooperatively formed by the casingsections 24, 26 and the recess 52 is greater in diametrical depth thanthe bimetal to allow for the expansion of the bimetal.,

A pair of stops or buttons 54, Solarepositioned in opposed relationwith-in the chamber 28 and terminate in spaced `apart relation adistance required for the diaphragmic travel movement of the bimetal.The buttons 54 and 56 are attached to and carried by the shell sections24, 26 respectively. Normally the bimetal 50 is in contact with thebutton 54 for heat to be conducted from the casing to the bimetal to aidin effecting actuation when the disc 56 attains apredetermined'temperature.. Gther heat is applied to the bimetal 50 byconvection and radiation. l' The stop button 56 has been coated with asuitable marking or imprinting substance such as shown at 57. Thissubstance may be paint, ink'or a dye mixture that will transfer to thesurface of the -bimetallic disc 5,0v upon actuation of the disc when thetemperature thereof reaches a predetermined value. yThe paint, ink ordye used is placed upon the button`56 Ito markthe bimetal and issubjected to the same temperature necessary` yto actuate the bimetal andthis temperature could-be at values that Would result in a baking ordrying out of thepaint cr dye marker before the bimetal isactuated. Asit is necessary and highly desirable that an adequate marking beimprinted upon the bimetalthe substance or mixture used must remain in asoft or tacky condition to provide an effective transfer. A suitablemixture having the desired characteristics is provided by mixing onepart color pigment, such as Prussian blue, with two parts retardant. Theretardant may be either caster oildi butyl phthalate, or a lacquerplasticizer. Other suitable marking mixtures maybe provided, as frompaint-or ink.

When the ibimetallic disc S0 llexes and makes contact Withl thesubstance as shown at 57 the marking or imprinting will take place andwhen the device 20 is dis,-

assembled such marking or imprinting on the bimetallic The presentv`temperature indicating device-` 20 is particularly adapted for use whereit is desired to study the temperature of fabrics, articles, materials,clothes and thelike that are constantly in motion and exposed withinheated environments. Furthermore; it is 'particularly adapted'for usewhere it--is highly desirable, and necessary thatth'e studied `articlesor yobjects be free and unhamperedn--their movements, such las takesplace in attaching thermal conductingconnections, or electricalconducting wires. AV particular'example is where a study of temperature'attainment of'fabrics, garments lor articles of clothing, such as shownat 59 in'Fig. l is desired as they are freely tumbled about'in'the pathof a heated air stream a rotating drum 60 ofy a clothes dryer 62. Theclothes dryer 62 per se forms no particular part of the presentinvention and is here set out only to illustrate and describe Yanapplication `of the present invention, and particu1arlyto. more clearlydescribe the present invention. The dryer 62 may be heated and the heatautomatically controlled by any suitable means (not shown).

Before the temperature indicating device 2 0 is attached tofanarticlepor object to be tested -itgis disassembled and. Va'daub'orcoating of the dye or paint mixture is placedv -onrtop of Vbutton 56.

In Vthe drawings the coating or daub' is shown placed on the button 56,as at 57 and the Y.each other in opposed relation.

button 54 is uncoated. The parts are reassembled with Y the bimetalreplaced so that its concave side is spaced from the coating 57` andbutton 56, kand its opposite con? vexrsurface abuts the uncoated button54 in a heat conducting relation. i The unheated bimetal is held in axedrelationin the casing22 between the parts 24 and 26 to prevent contactofthe coated button 56 by extending thev marginal edge yoli the bimetalinto the recess 52. The bimetal by this arrangement is free to expand asnecessaryv Y forV diaphragmic action when heated.

Upon re-assembling the temperature indicating device it maybe attachedtothe wet or moisture laden article ofV clothing, garment, or fabric byeither an adhesiveV asI aluminum .or copper, there can be provided atemperature, indicating device whereby the garment or article Will notbe appreciably weighted or encumbered Vby the attachment so. thatit cantumble or follow the same movement `to yprovide an identical dryingaction asiiithe device 20 werepnot vattached thereto. The device 20-isshownon enlarged,scale. Y

Upon the garment attaining a predetermined tempera- `ture the exiblebimetal discwill be actuated against the opposite button 56 whereuponthedye or other substance placed thereon will VVtransfer and suihcientlymark the surface of the bimetal-"thatV should the temperature drop Y toa suiiciently low value to resetthe bimetal the mark Will remain thereonto be noted Vanytime thereafter upon inspection. It will be readilyunderstood that a plurality of -thesre temperature indicating devicesmay be used simultaneopsly each Vcalibrated at diierenttemperaturevalues so that -a range of temperatures may be noted in 5degrees increments. This Wouldrpermit noting a minimum andV maximumtemperature.

In Fig. 1 the temperature indicating device is also shown attached tothe inner surface of the rotating where it Y'is desired to note thesurface temperatures. ,Y

In/theA modied form shown in Fig. 4 the .buttons are 92. TheV members490and 92' are each formed` Withrdepresseddimples 94 and 96 respectively.The dimples are formed centrally in the shell members' and extendtowards spaced apart relation with a,bimeta1 disc 98 positionedtherebetween. The diniple against which the bimetal will flex inresponse to the attainment of a predetermined temperature value will bedaubed or painted as shown at 100 in the same and like/,manner and withthe same or similar substance as set out above inthe preferred form ofthe present invention.' A band 102 .isusedand corresponds vltovbandg34.V

Although a-preferred and a` modiedform-have been positioned withinsaidcasing between said sections, said sections -beingformed tohold'lsaidthermostatic means to Y resist movement of a portionV thereof and'topermit ilex-v ing action'of another portion ina predetermined path infresponse to temperature variations, one of said sections-v being'withinthe exing rangeoir said thermostatic means,

and markingmaterialcarried by the latter `section in suchA aposit-ionthat a portion of said marking material is trans-l ferred toy said heatresponsive thermostatic means upon predetermined exing thereof. Y

2. A temperatureY indicating device comprising Ya separable'casinghaving two projections, removable Vmeans for= to permit-,flexing actionof another portion in-a predetermined path in response totemperaturefvariations and said thermostatic means being normally inheat conducting relation with one of said projections land beingflexible to said otherr projection upon theeapplication of heat thereto,and markingv materialcarried by thev latter projection.

3. A temperature indicatingdevice comprising a twofpiececasingprovidingV afchamber and being separable to Vprovide access thereto,sealing means arranged to seal such casing,V a thermostat positionedWithin said chamber, such casing being'formcdl to hold'said thermostat`to resist movementfof-a-portionthereof and to permitexing action offanother-portiorrin apredetermined path in re- Y spouse to temperaturevariations, and-amarkingmaterial shown as formed integrally from the panmembers 90 and carried by said casing within-said chamber,said'thermostat being responsive to, a'rpredetermined temperaturel toilex towards and contact said marking material.

4. A temperature indicating device comprising a casing formed in twosections,- removable elastic means for sealing said'sections, allexibleV heat responsive'means positioned Within said casing'betweensaid sections Iandl being arranged to iex into Vcontact withonel of saidsections uponnthe applicationcfheat thereto, said casing being formed'tohold said heat responsive means to'resist move ment of a portion thereofand to permit ilexing action in another portion in a predetermined pathin response to temperature variationsV and an adhesive material carriedby said latter section to transfer a portion of said adhesive materialto said heat responsive means upon lexing thereof. t Y f 5. Atemperature indicating device comprising a casing formed in twosections, removable means for'scaling said sections, a heat responsivemeanspositioned within said casingand normally lin heat conductingrelation with one of said sections, such sections being formed to holdsaid heat responsive means'to resist movementof Va portion thereof andto permit 'A exing actionrofv another portion in a predetermined'path'in/responseto temperaturevariations,^and anadhesive'material-carried by the other section in close proximityvtosaid heatresponsivem'eansand being arranged-to-transfera-portionof1said adhesive-ma- The dimples are.. in

terial thereto when said heat responsive means attains a predeterminedtemperature.

6. A temperature indicating device comprising a separable casing havingopposed projecting members, elastic means for sealing said casing, raheat responsive means positioned Within said casing and normally in heatconducting relation with one of said projections, such casing beingformed to hold said heat responsive means to resist movement of aportion thereof and to permit llexing action of another portion in apredetermined path in response to temperature variations, an adhesivematerial carried by the other projections in close proximity to saidheat responsive means and being arranged to transfer a portion of saidadhesive material to said heat responsive means when it attains apredetermined temperature.

7. A temperature indicating device compn'sing a casing having a chamberprovided with an access opening, sealing means arranged to seal saidaccess opening, a heat responsive bimetal disc positioned Within saidchamber in thermal heat conducting relation with said casing, suchcasing being formed to hold said bimetal disc to resist movement of aportion thereof and to permit exing action of another portion in apredetermined path in response to temperature variations, a coating onan inner surface of said chamber, said ybimetal disc being responsive toa predetermined temperature to ex towards and contact said coating, andsaid coating having a characteristie of transferring to said bimetaldisc upon contact therewith.

8. A temperature indicating device comprising a casing forming achamber, said casing having a removable section to permit access to saidchamber, a heat responsive member positioned in `said chamber, saidcasing being formed to hold said heat responsive member to resistmovement of a portion thereof and to permit flexing action of anotherportion in a predetermined path in reof transferring a portion of saidmarking substance to said heat responsive member upon contact, andsealing means for attaching said removable section to said casing.

9. A temperature indicating device comprising a casing forming achamber, said casing comprising two sections dividable for access tosaid chamber, each of said sections being provided with a rim extendingperipherally about said casing and adapted to cooperatively abut eachother to join said sections together, means extending longitudinallywith said abutted rims to engage and to clamp -said rims and saidsections together, a bimetal disc within said chamber in thermal heatconduction relation with said casing, said casing being formed to holdsaid thermostatic means to resist movement of a portion thereof and topermit flexing action of another portion in a predetermined path inresponse to temperature variations, a stop for engagement bysaid'bimetal disc upon actuation of said disc in response to apredetermined temperature, and a substance carried by said stop, saidsubstance having a characteristic of imprinting upon said bimetal discupon contact thereby.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS286,743 Tai-box Oct. 16, 1883 1,523,096 Ziegler -..-a Jan. 13, 19252,362,424 Walsh Nov. 7, 1944 2,368,193 Boynton Jan. 30, 1945 2,508,510Gillespie May 23, 1950 2,798,130 Cox July 2, 1957

